title: Cell phone conversing while driving in New Zealand: prevalence, risk perception and legislation.
abstract: This study investigated (i) the prevalence of conversing on a cell phone while driving in New Zealand, (ii) respondents' perception of risk regarding this behaviour and (iii) attitudes towards legislation banning cell phone use while driving. In addition, the study examined the association between the prevalence of conversing on a cell phone and risk perception. Anonymous, self-reported, survey data was collected via the internet from 1057 drivers nationwide regarding the frequency of conversing on a cell phone, including hands-free and hand-held conversing, risk perception, views on legislation, and demographic information. A positive relationship was found between the frequency of conversing on a cell phone and risk perception; that is, as the frequency of conversing on a cell phone increased, the perceived risk of this behaviour decreased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Auckland, New Zealand. charlenehallett@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hallett
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Regan
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001290:Attitude; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012449:Safety / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D055815:Young Adult